WYOMING — September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has improved 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline access for Wyoming residents.
According to the WDH, the lifeline has expanded its Wyoming capabilities this year. Previously, calls and texts were routed to national resources instead of a Wyoming-based center. There are now two call centers within Wyoming as part of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline system, which is a national network of crisis centers that provide support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
“People who call or text 988 from a 307 area code number are sent first to help from one of our Wyoming-based centers,” WDH Crisis/988 Program Manager Alicia Johnson said in the announcement. “We highly encourage residents to consider contacting the lifeline during a mental health or substance use crisis. We want them to know they can connect with someone who will listen, and offer care and support.”
The free and confidential 988 line can be reached every day, all day by phone, text or online chat. An online chat function is available at 988lifeline.org. Chat services were also enhanced recently to direct most Wyoming residents who use the option to Wyoming-based help.
“We expect to begin routing calls based on whether someone is located in Wyoming rather than just on a phone’s area code within the next few weeks,” Johnson said. “We believe it’s a benefit for most Wyoming callers to be connected to a Wyoming-based call center, with staff who may be more relatable.”
While the majority of calls will be answered by one of the Wyoming-based centers, the national network will offer backup for those times when the local center isn’t available, according to the WDH.
Currently, calls to 988 are routed to the closest crisis center based upon the area code of the phone used. Live crisis center calling services are available in English and Spanish, with further translation options available in more than 250 additional languages. Text and chat support is currently available in English only.
The two Wyoming-based 988 call centers can be reached at: Wyoming Lifeline at (307) 527-1113 and Central Wyoming Counseling Center Lifeline at (307) 237-9583.
If someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves, call 911. If someone has thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or at 988lifeline.org.
